The Hindu : National : Fishermen seek lifting of the ban on sea cucumber

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Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
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Fishermen seek lifting of the ban on sea cucumber

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The National Fisherworkers Forum (NFF) has sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention in lifting the ban on Sea Cucumber (Holothurians) as this had adversely affected the livelihood of thousands of fisherme n in Tamil Nadu.

In a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister, the Forum said there was no fear of depletion of this fish as it was caught by diving and its longevity was estimated to be 10 years.

The Union Environment and Forests Ministry had banned the fishing of shark and 63 other species in 2001 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

The ban on shark and some items was lifted following protests by the fishing community but no exemption was made in the case of Sea Cucumber, which is found in Nagapattinam, Tuticorin, Pudukottai and Ramnad districts of Tamil Nadu.

The Ministry had constituted a committee to review the ban on some items, including Sea Cucumber, but there has been no response since then and we have been running from pillar to post for lifting the ban, the memorandum said.

The Forum has also sought lifting of ban on Holothuria atra, spinifera and capra species. The NFF activists arrived in the Capital and would sit on an indefinite dharna near Parliament until the ban would be lifted.

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